Museum replaces curtains with tinted windows to help brighten up building

Posted: Monday, Dec 3rd, 2012BY: Emily Bruns

Brian Hongsermeir (front) and fellow worker, Daniel Quasius, fitted the tinted sheets onto the windows in the basement of the museum. Both men work for Great Lakes Film and Shade, an independent company. (Photo by Emily Bruns)

ROCHELLE—For years now, the Flagg-Rochelle Township Museum has displayed curtains on its historic, large-framed windows to protect indoor antiques from the damaging sunlight UV rays.

After raising enough funds, the museum will soon reflect a sunnier disposition, as the curtains, which were used to protect furnishings from the fading effects of the sun and also blocked natural light, will be removed on the main floor and replaced with tinted windows. The main floor windows will have a new protective film on them which will allow natural sunlight in without permitting the damaging rays that fade the museum’s hardwood floors, carpets, furnishings and display items.